Planning under way to save historic Tuttle Farm in Dover

By MARCUS WEISGERBERDemocrat Staff Writer

Friday

Nov 4, 2005 at 10:45 AMNov 4, 2005 at 11:12 AM

DOVER — Tuttle Farm has been on Dover Point Road since before the road, or city for that matter, existed. Now thanks to the Strafford Rivers Conservancy and the city, the land of the oldest family farm and second oldest family business in the country will remain undeveloped forever.

The conservancy is currently working to raise more than $3.3 million for the purchase of the conservation easement from the owner, William Penn Tuttle III. The City will contribute $1.5 million of the easement from its conservation fund, which ultimately needs City Council approval, which could happen in December.

Family-owned farms across the country are constantly disappearing because of the tax consequences facing them, said Tuttle, who has been involved with the farm since his childhood in the 1950s. If Tuttle kept the farm, he said, the high property value would contribute to a high inheritance tax on the land after he died. This in turn would prevent the family from keeping the land.

"What is very clear to me is if I don't do this, there won't be any farm, any open land, after my lifetime," Tuttle said.

Tuttle plans to keep five acres for himself around the Red Barn shop, which can allow for expansion of the store.

Sweet corn, pumpkins, strawberries, spinach, basil and peas are just some of the crops grown on the 172-acre farm, half of which is woods.

Tuttle, in pursuing the conservation easement, is simply following in his father's footsteps. The Tuttle family history shows the family's continuous support of conservation. In 1946, Hugh Tuttle aided in creating the Strafford County Soil and Conservation District and served as chairman and treasurer for many years. He also took the title of President of the New Hampshire Association of Soil Conservation Districts, and took part in the Executive Committee of the New Hampshire Natural Resources Council.

There is only one generation known, when the Tuttle Farm has not been passed from father to son. Joseph Edward Tuttle died young with only an infant son. Therefore, Uncle William Tuttle was left the farm and took his responsibility seriously, running the farm for over 40 years. He died in 1911, and the farm was left to George Tuttle, son of Joseph Edward. The farm was then passed to Penn Tuttle, and next to Hugh Tuttle, and now resides in the hands of William Penn Tuttle III.

His father, Hugh, was the first to use the "big red barn" to sell produce to the locals. In a time period where grocery stores were boasting uniform, cheap, vegetables, Hugh continued to promote the quality of his produce.

The farm land contains wetlands and streams and prime agricultural soils. With the Tuttle Farmstead under conservation easement, resident and visitors to Dover will be able to enjoy "the scenic (views) of the fertile fields the Tuttle Family has worked and preserved since 1633," said Anna Boudreau, the executive director of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy.

"The key here is that (the easement) really preserves the farm in its current state," said Dover Planning Director Steven Stancel.

Although the developing rights of the land will belong to the conservancy and city, Tuttle will still maintain ownership of the land and could sell the land to other farmers in the future, Stancel said.

"The Tuttle farm is historic and rich in natural resources," Stancel said. "Conserving this land will guarantee that it will continue to represent what's best about Dover — scenic beauty, commerce and natural resources conjoining to help make a livable community."

The conservancy will look to raise the additional $1.8 million from federal and state grants and community contributions, according to Boudreau.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us" Boudreau said, "but we are thrilled to be working on this exciting project."

The Strafford Rivers Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust, has been working with land owners, municipalities and other conservation organizations since 1989 to preserve open space throughout Strafford County.

Any citizen or organization interested in contributing to this significant initiative may send a tax-deductible donation to The Strafford Rivers Conservancy, PO Box 623, Dover, NH, 03821 or contact 603-557-7561 for more information.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.